In 'Henry V,' Henry is presented by Shakespeare in several different roles: a political figure, a private man, a leader, and an accomplished soldier. Shakespeare's dramatic portrait relies on presenting Henry through his words and actions, the different people he encounters as a King, a warrior, and a lover to Katherine, daughter of the King of France.
             In his youth, Henry was rumored to love what might be termed "street life" rather than the corridors of power at court. It is therefore dramatically important that Shakespeare introduces a transformed Henry, which he does, in part through Canterbury and Ely's discussion of the new King in Act One Scene One where they freely acknowledge: "never has such a sudden scholar made..." even though "the causes of his youth promised it not." The new Henry is seen at his most impressive when he deals with the betrayal of Scroop, one of his old friends, by contriving a situation just before they sail for France where he has just appointed Scroop and his fellow would-be assassins as Commissioners. Henry then tells Scroop, Cambridge, and Gray about a drunken man who had verbally abused him and questioned how they think the culprit should be punished. All agree:
             "Let him be punish'd, sovereign, lest example.
             Breed by his sufferance, much more of a kind."
             Scroop effectively condemns himself to death since his crime of betrayal is so much worse; Henry is therefore justified in punishing Scroop to the full extent of the law as a traitor to his country and sovereign. Shakespeare shows Henry's control and patience in what must have emotionally been a very difficult incident for him. He does, however, release his emotions at one point to mock the almost unbelievable betrayal by a man he considered so loyal and trustworthy: "What shall I say to thee, Lord Scroop? Thou cruel, in grateful, savage, and inhuman creature!" Shakespeare shows Henry handling this situation publicly to assure his nobles...